Lightning Safety

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National Park Service White Sands U.S. Department of the Interior White Sands National Monument Lightning Safety Lightning Safety Tips 1. Get into a hardtop vehicle (with windows rolled up) or building (with windows completely shut) at the first rumble White Sands is considered to be of thunder. a dry area for most of the year. What people do not realize is 2. Do not use a corded phone during a lightning storm. Cell that thunderstorms can appear phones are okay. without any notice. Probably the most dangerous severe weather occurs during the monsoon season. 3. Stay away from all wiring, plumbing, and electrical From mid June until mid October, equipment. late afternoon thunderstorms are common. These storms can be beautiful to watch and the associated 4. Get away from water (Don’t be a fool, get out of the rains turn the desert green, but it is pool!). important to know what to do when lightning and thunder is nearby. Approximately 400 U.S. citizens per year get struck by lightning. Sixty of Lightning is beautiful; it is also 5. Trees should not be used as shelter during an electrical these people die and dozens more obtain permanent disabilities. Please b deadly. storm. safe when thunder and lightning are near. HOW DO THUNDER AND 6. If caught in an exposed area during a thunderstorm, get LIGHTNING STORMS OCCUR? Thunderstorms, lightning storms, into a crouched position with your feet together. keep a and electrical storms are one in thirty foot distance between yourself and any other person. the same, and lightning is always accompanied by thunder. These 7. People who are struck by lightning do not carry an storms need three things in order to occur: moisture in the air (humidity), electrical charge afterwards. If they need medical or first unstable air (warm air that rises aid attention, you will not get electrocuted from helping rapidly), and lift (a mountain range them. forces air upwards). 8. When thunder roars, go indoors! DOES LIGHTNING KILL? In the United States, lightning strikes kill approximately 80 people per year, 9. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles ahead of the storm. and dozens more obtain permanent disabilities. To significantly lessen the risk of getting struck by lightning, 10. It’s safe to come back outside after 30 minutes without follow the lightning safety tips to the a strike. right. Safety tips courtesy of the National Lightning Safety Institute and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Lightning Safety websites Revised 7/11/2012.

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